Oscillating bearing.



No. 639,096. Patented sept. i2, |899.

H. B. KEIPER.

OSCILLATING BEARING.

(Application led June 1, 1899.)

(No Model.)

TH: imams parus co. vuoto-umu.. wAsmNnYoN. o. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT @lirica HENRY B. KEIPER, OF LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA.

SCILLATING BEARING..

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 633,096, dated September 12, 1899.

Application filed June l, 1899. Serial No. 718,948. (No model.l

.and Ido hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in an oscillating bearing of that class in which the box carrying the spindle end of a revoluble shaft is supported by practically hemispherical points or projections from the upper and lower inner surfaces of an improved casing, said projections engaging in approved sockets or recesses formed in the convex surface of said box` at diametrically opposite points, and in which provision is made to take up lost motion laterally and endwise of said spindle end as well as to carry a supply of oil to automatically lubricate the same for a protracted period of time.

The object of the invention is to provide a journal-bearing especially adapted to the construction of portable forges and blowers that will fully compensate for the vibratory or oscillating motion in rapidly revolving shafts, preventing straining or binding on their journal or spindle ends by allowing said shafts to automatically adjust and maintain themselves in true alinement in said bearing.

The elements of the invention will severally and at large appear in the following description and they will be separately and collectively set forth in the appended claims.

The purposes of the invention are attained by the mechanism and devices illustrated in the accompanying drawings,similar reference characters designating like parts throughout the several views, in which- Figure l is a full side elevation of a bearing embodying the elements of the invention as it appears in position with a portion of a shaft in place. Fig. 2 is a top view of Fig. l with the cap of the oil-cup removed. Figs.

3 and et are left and right hand end views of 4 Fig. l. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal central vertical section of Fig. l, showing the shaft, end washer, end adjusting-screw, and felt plugs in full surface views. Fig. G is a view similar to that of Fig. 2, with the covering-cap ot' the casing removed and the bearing-box and end lock-nut appearing` in horizontal central longitudinal section; and Figs. 7, S, 9, and l0 are full top, side, left and right hand end views of the bearing-box detached from the casing.

As shown in the drawings, the improved bearing of the invention consists of preferably a barrel-shaped body or box A, of any approved material, having an axial bore a opening through one end thereof for the rotation of tbe spindle or journal ends, of a shaft l, with a washer A, preferably of vulcanized fiber, within the bore between the extremity of the spindle and the closed end of the box, which end is centrally provided with a screw-threaded orifice a, `through which a set-screw A2 serves to adjust said washer, while a ring-nut a2 on the screw and screwed home onto said box serves to clamp said set-screws in place. At diametrically opposite points above and below the convex surface of the box is centrally provided with longitudinally oblong concaved recesses or sockets a3, the upper one having` a central aperture 6UL opening into the bore a of the box, in which rounded points, to be hereinafter described, serve to support the box in position, permittingoscillation up and down to yits ends, as well as lateral rotation, and one on each side of the lower socket in the central vertical plane, and opening into the axial bore are arranged orifices or apertures fr", into which are fitted felt plugs or wicks A3, resting on the bottom of a chamber in a casing (yet to be described) to absorb oil yfrom said chamber and convey it to the revolving spindle end, lubricating the same. Ata prescribed distance froln its closed end, through the upper half of the box, is avortical crosscut a", which is joined through one side thereof by a longitudinal cut al, allowing the bore to be diametrically expanded or contracted at pleasure, while a pin or wedge Al in said longitudinal cut serves to gage said expansion or contraction.

IOS)

The base portion B and the cap or covering portion B', secured togetherby screws B2 through the side cars h and tapped into the side ears bo, constitute the supporting-framework or the body of the casing before mentioned. The body of the base portion, being practically a pillow-block, is adapted to rest on a bracket-arm or other projection 2 from a blower or forge easing (not shown in the drawings) and being provided with a lug or pin h', entering an orifice or hole in said projection, a single screw B3 therethrough and tapped into said base serves to secure said base portion or pillow-block in place. In the upper portion of the framework is formed a chamber b2, recessed from their juncture into said base portion and covering-cap for housing the bearing, and the chamber is provided with end openings h3 b for the passage of the shaft and the manipulat-ion of the washeradjusting screw and its clamp-nut. In the center of the chamber its bottom is provided with an upwardly-projecting and hemispherically-rounded lug h5 to engage in the under socket a3, supporting the bearing, as shown and before mentioned. The covering-cap B/ is centrally 'provided 011 its top with an upwardly-proj ectin g and practically cylindrical dome or turretb, screw-threaded within down to its base, said base having at its center a screwthreaded aperture openingr into the chamber, into which is screwed a plug B4, having a hemispherically-rounded lower end 117 to engage the upper socket CL3, supporting the bearing, as shown and also before mentioned, while a rin g-screw B5, screwed home between the plug and dome, serves to securely clamp said plug in place, and the plug is provided with an axial bore bs, with its lower end registering with the aperture a4, likewise before mentioned. The top of the dome is closed by an under hollowed cap-screw BG, as shown, leaving a hollow space, constituting an oilstorage chamber b between said cap and plugscrews, while the bore hs serves as a vent to conduct oil from said chamber to the shaft, lubricating the same.

Now the several parts hereinbefore described and occupying the respective positions indicated in the drawings the following observations will be noted-first, that the hemispherical lug b5 and the screw end 11T by engaging in the recesses a3 willsupport the bearing-box A in position within the chamber b2, allowing to the ends of said box both vertical and horizontal oscillation; second, that by reason of said oscillation said bearin g-box will readily adjust itself to the alinement of its shaft; third, that by reason of the cuts c a7 the bore of said bearing may be readily expanded or contracted according to the diameter of the spindle end engaging therein; fourth, that the key or wedge-pin A4, by engaging in the cut a7, will gage said contraction or regulate said expansion; fifth,

that the plug-screw B4, being adjustable as to its depth or height within the housing-chamber, the extent of its pressure on said bearingbox will be readily determined, the ring-screw B5 firmly holding said plug-screw in the required position; sixth, that the set-screwA2 bearing against the washer A' lost motion endwise of the shaft may be readily taken up, the rin g-screw a2 iirml y holding said set-screw in fixed position; seventh, that the chamber b by carrying a supply of oil through the bore bs and the aperture a4 will by gravitation oil the shaft-spindle, the surplus oil draining` onto the bottom of the housing chamber; eighth, that the felt plugs or wicks A3 in resting on said bottom and contacting with the under surface of the spindle will by absorption oil said spindle; ninth, that the bearingbox A in being completely housed within the chamber h2 is practically rendered dust-proof by the casing of said chamber, and, tenth, that by reason of the different features described said bearing is practically automatic in lineal adjustment, and the spindles revolving therein will render the blowers or forges easy running.

Having now ascertained and described the invention and set forth the manner in which. its functions are performed, what is considered new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is-

l. An oscillating bearing comprising: a pillow-block consisting of a base portion and a covering-cap, secured together by screws or bolts, with a chamber recessed through their contacting faces, and having hemispherical projections from the top and bottom thereof, and provided with circular openings through its end wall; and a bearing-block, with oblong sockets at opposite points in its convex surface, supported within said chamber by said hemispherical projections engaging in said oblong sockets; with means provided for taking up lost motion in said bearing, and with means provided for automatically lubricating the same; all substantially as described and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth.

2. In an oscillating bearing, a bearingblock, A, having an axial bore, a; a screwthreaded aperture, a; oblong concaved recesses, c3 c3; an oil-vent, at; felt-plug apertures, ci a, and felt plugs, A3, seated in said apertures; a vertical cross-cut, a5; and a longitudinal cut, c7,- said block adapted to be supported within a housing-chamber in the upper portion of a pillow-block; with means provided to expand and contract said bearing, and to lubricate the same; all substantially as described and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth.

3. In an oscillating bearing, a pillow-block comprising a base portion, B, covering-cap portion, B, and screws, B2 B2, securing said portions together, said pillow-block provided with a chamber, b2, having' front and rear IZO In testimony whereofl I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY 1s. KEIPER.

NVtnesses:

LVALTER A. MILLER, DANIEL H. HEER. 

